Dogs in minnesota (Welcome: apartment, house, neighborhood)

[peamom]

We are moving from CA to St Paul in October, we are bringing our 15-year-old dog with us. Well, we are wusses from living in CA for 6 years but i don't think our dog will know what hit her this winter! She is a greyhound with a very short coat. Do dogs wear dog-coats?, or hats?? boots???? Also we will be in a tiny apartment for a couple of months. How do dogs deal with pooping outside in the snow? Do they just have to get out there and freeze? Sorry...

Thanks for any input, and any more tips for dog-owners!

[golfgal]

We have a wuss dog and she was born and raised in MN. Dogs deal with it. They do their business and come back in. You do see many short haired dogs with coats. We are going to get dog boots for our dog this winter. Last winter she wouldn't go on walks because the ground was too cold. She is only 10 pounds so running around in the house can give her some exercise but she usually loves walks.

[ConstanceR]

Originally Posted by peamom

We are moving from CA to St Paul in October, we are bringing our 15-year-old dog with us. Well, we are wusses from living in CA for 6 years but i don't think our dog will know what hit her this winter! She is a greyhound with a very short coat. Do dogs wear dog-coats?, or hats?? boots???? Also we will be in a tiny apartment for a couple of months. How do dogs deal with pooping outside in the snow? Do they just have to get out there and freeze? Sorry...

Thanks for any input, and any more tips for dog-owners!

Welcome to Minnesota. I have lived here most of my life and have always had dogs. They adjust quickly to the change in seasons. Your dog should grow a thicker coat once it starts to get cold. They seem to love running through freshly fallen snow once they get used to it. One thing to remember is Minnesotans tend to use a lot of salt on icy sidewalks and streets. This can be very hard on your dog's paws. A bucket of water by the door seems to do the trick. I have never put a coat on my dogs and have had no problem. Would be happy to answer any more questions you have on Minnesota.

[yellowsnow]

It just happens I was at a greyhound rescue event this weekend. The dogs already had coats on. They have no hair and not much body fat so they are susceptible to the cold. My dog wears fleece in the winter and because of all the ice and salt, he wears booties on long walks.

The booties are little kevlar sacks with velcro that wraps around the leg. I get the fleece in the kids dept at the thrift stores. Real 'dog' clothes are pretty expensive.

When it's really cold, your dog won't want to spend any more time outside than you would. I make sure to take time for some indoor play and exercise. Your dog will learn to poop fast and if you're in an apt complex, you'll be out there with him. Encouraging him to do more, faster!

[Moncriefjj]

Dogs adjust. My friend's Boston terriers with their very short hair, who I've watched over Christmas, just run out into the backyard, do their stuff, and come back in. They don't seem particularly bothered although they also don't want to linger too much in the cold.

[p1nk1978]

Welcome to MN!! Yes, it does get cold here. Especially difficult for older animals. I wouldn't expect your dog to toughen up--but you do have to make sure that he is comfortable outside do to his business. Otherwise his business could end up on your carpet. I've heard of that happening quite a bit with stubborn animals that hate the cold.

I highly recommend putting a coat on your dog. Especially a senior dog. I find that booties are oftentimes rarely tolerated by dogs and distract the dog from doing their duty--but very helpful if you're going for a walk in snow. Also be very cautious about salt used to get rid of ice. It hurts their paws. I'd invest in pet-friendly ice melt.

My dog has a great cold weather coat (Ruff Weather Coat) that I found on PetLane as well as the pet friendly ice melt.

Best of luck!!

Originally Posted by peamom

We are moving from CA to St Paul in October, we are bringing our 15-year-old dog with us. Well, we are wusses from living in CA for 6 years but i don't think our dog will know what hit her this winter! She is a greyhound with a very short coat. Do dogs wear dog-coats?, or hats?? boots???? Also we will be in a tiny apartment for a couple of months. How do dogs deal with pooping outside in the snow? Do they just have to get out there and freeze? Sorry...

Thanks for any input, and any more tips for dog-owners!

[windtimber]

I've raised dogs - including rescued dogs from pounds - for years. I'm in SD, not MN, and there is no appreciable weather difference. Your dog will acclimatize quickly. Dogs are outdoor animals, they'll grow in a thick hair coat as the weather changes. Over the years we've kept indoor pets and sporting dogs kenneled outdoors 365 days a year. By far the best arrangement has been an outdoor kenneled dog trained to come inside but stay in specific areas - the kitchen, my basement "den," and so forth. He'll hang out with you, but when it's time for him to do his business, or for you to leave for work, go to bed, whatever - back out to the kennel. Make sure there's plenty of shade and water in the summer, a house protected from the wind and plenty of water in the winter. Outdoor dogs are healthier with far fewer problems with fleas, skin problems, etc.

A couple pound rescued terriers had been kept inside for years - locked up most of the time in a basement. Got them in the fall, placed them in a good outdoor kennel, and they thrived.

A good example of outdoor living is one of my labradors. In the dead of winter he prefers to sleep on the roof of his doghouse. I'll go out in the morning and he pops up his head, shakes off the snow, and lopes over to say good morning!

Good luck with your move.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Clothing your dogs with winter apparel? People's infatuation and glorification of animals in American society is absolutely embarrassing. As any Chicano/Latino would say....que puuuto

[Jackietad]

Originally Posted by peamom

We are moving from CA to St Paul in October, we are bringing our 15-year-old dog with us. Well, we are wusses from living in CA for 6 years but i don't think our dog will know what hit her this winter! She is a greyhound with a very short coat. Do dogs wear dog-coats?, or hats?? boots???? Also we will be in a tiny apartment for a couple of months. How do dogs deal with pooping outside in the snow? Do they just have to get out there and freeze? Sorry...

Thanks for any input, and any more tips for dog-owners!

Hi Peamom! I actually watched a bit of the ASCP dog show the other night and they said that greyhounds should wear sweaters because they have a very thin coat! It was like I was meant to read this forum because I hit it by accident looking for dog boot information. Don't listen to some of the crap posted here, do what is best for your dog. I live in New England and my pug has a really hard time in the snow. He starts to lift one of his legs in the air because his paw gets so cold and I have to pick him up. So I may have to buy him booties and I was hoping to find someone who can recommend a good brand.

[EA1114]

I see a lot of greyhounds in my neighborhood wearing coats. It does make sense during this cold weather. My dog has a thicker coat but the cold really bothers her feet. Almost immediately she starts lifting up her paws. I have dog boots (muttluks) for her she actually likes them, she waits patiently while I put them on her and then she takes off running through the snow.

You will really just have to see how your dog reacts to the cold and then see what you will have to do to make her comfortable.

Good Luck!